It
is with great interest and enthusiasm that I submit my resume
for your review. Most cover letters are written in this humdrum
tone. Cover letters do not need to be so dull, nor so uninteresting.
This style of cover letter writing has been around for years;
and its a trend that has overstayed its welcome.
Its perfectly acceptable to add pizzazz
to cover letters in an effort to engage the reader in your
story. Taking a business approach while adding a personal
touch to the cover letter will certainly make you stand out
from other candidates. But many are skeptical about adding
a personal story to the cover letter because rumor has it
that cover letters should be completely business-oriented.
That isnt true. There are occasions when it is appropriate
to deviate from what others expect to read, and of course,
there are times when you should remain with the tried and
true method.
When Getting Personal Doesnt Make Sense
Getting personal can be tricky because most people have a
tendency to reveal too much. Only choose to disclose personal
information if doing so will help sell you for the position.
Dont use the cover letter as a vehicle to make excuses, to
apologize for your current situation or to describe how difficult
the job search has been. For example, the following is not
a personal story that should be fleshed out in a cover letter:
A few months ago, I was laid off and havent
been able to secure a position since. I have answered countless
classified ads and no one will give me an opportunity. My
bills are piling up and I need someone to give me a chance.
I am a good worker and if you hire me, you wont be disappointed.
The above introduction smacks of desperation,
and although you may be truthful when saying youll do a fantastic
job, the reader will think either: a) if nobody else wants
this person, I sure dont or b) this person will take on any
position just to pay the bills while continuing to look for
the right opportunity. While that may not be your intention,
it will be the perception.
When Getting Personal Makes Sense
Not every situation is the same and some situations call for
more than just a reiteration of your resume. If you are currently
unemployed, a career changer, or just have an interesting
story to share about your career progression, feel free to
elaborate in the cover letter. The following is an appropriate
personal story to tell in a cover letter:
It is human nature to believe that life-altering
events will only happen to them, not us. With this popular
notion in tow, we go about our lives doing the best we know
how. Then one day, we are struck with a reality that changes
our view of the world and our purpose on this earth. Each
of us has our own unique life changing events; mine was when
my companion was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease.
When I made the decision to leave the
workforce to tend to my companions illness, I quickly realized
there was never enough time to get everything done: paperwork,
doctor's visits, clinical studies, and housekeeping responsibilities.
Even with all that needed to be done,
I welcomed the opportunity to care for him when he needed
me the most. In fact, I am grateful I was able to follow him
through his journey. I realize this is a luxury not afforded
to everyone. Because of the experiences I had in and out of
the nursing home, I decided to return to college and earn
a masters degree in Health Advocacy at Sarah Lawrence College.
The above is a heartwarming tale of how
ones personal experience changed their course in life. This
particular story is a great sales tool because it alludes
to the empathy and compassion this candidate has for others
who are going through what she experienced.
Recognizing if your personal story makes
sense
When getting personal in a cover letter, the key is to focus
on a topic that: a) will interest the reader, b) is relevant
to your career objective, and c) will add weight to your list
of qualifications. If you can enthusiastically answer yes
to all those distinctive qualities, then your story is one
that should be told.
Recognized as a career expert, Linda Matias
brings a wealth of experience to the career services field.
She has been sought out for her knowledge of the employment
market, outplacement, job search strategies, interview preparation,
and resume writing, quoted a number of times in The Wall Street
Journal, New York Newsday, Newsweek, and HR-esource.com. She
is president of CareerStrides and the National Resume Writers
Association. Visit her website at http://www.careerstrides.com
or email her at linda@careerstrides.com.
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